Creative Methods to Help Kids Learn After School

Working with kids and their schoolwork can be a challenge. It can be especially tough when the child is struggling in school—for both parties. Some basic rules of thumb to keep in mind are a calm demeanor, no shouting and incentives. A few education pros offer their creative tips.

“I’m a big believer in incentives, especially in regard to working with middle school or younger kids,” says Alexis Avila, a licensed guidance counselor and founder of Prepped and Polished, a tutoring and test preparation organization in the Boston area. “If he finishes the homework, if he turns it in on time—give him ice cream.” Avila said there can also be long-term incentives that are based on the subject matter. For example, kids who are struggling with science can get a technology-related toy at the end of a successful semester.

When possible, show the subject coming to life. Avila suggests trips to science or history museums for kids who are struggling in those subjects—or, if they’re big readers, buying or checking out books that focus on the topic. Having trouble with English literature and imagery? Try seeing a play and then discussing the plot and dialogue.

Sean Antonetti, an English teacher and a tutor at Riverdale High School in Riverdale, Ga., says he creates writing assignments based on current movies or other things that interest his students and will “then slowly work them into print texts, so they can use their newly acquired analytical skills on short stories. Parents can do the same."

"I use easily digestible acronyms and fun words that students can remember," says Antonetti. "STEAL (Speech, Thought, Effects, Actions, Looks) helps students understand what they need to look at in a text in order to facilitate characterization."

Antonetti said he shows his class past students' essays on the same subject—one that got a low grade, one with a middle grade and one with a high grade. He then asks the current students to grade these works because it "helps them understand good writing and writing that needs help." Parents can ask teachers for copies of other students' past essays or find examples of good and bad writing from sources online to use as examples.

Stuck with the family in a long car ride? Avila suggests making use of the downtime by quizzing younger kids on multiplication tables, spelling or other subjects where they need help.

Avila said that parents shouldn’t be afraid to explore educational game sites like Quizlet.com, which covers everything from algebra and foreign language tutoring to SAT and GRE prep. FreeRice.com covers a variety of subjects, but it also helps kids feel like they’re making a difference; for every right answer logged on the site, the site will donate 10 grains of rice through the World Food Program.

Moody teens aren’t likely to want to sit down with mom and dad, says Avila. In this instance, Avila suggests reaching out to cousins or neighbors of the same age and gender who have similar interests—successful people your teen may want to emulate and who may be able to discuss the material in a way that relates better to your teenager.